Chapter 10: Unnecessary Feelings

Kieran’s POV

Practice hadn’t even started yet and already my patience was hanging by a thread. Across the locker room, Asher Carter was struggling with tape around his wrist while Theo talked animatedly beside him, and for some reason that irritated me. Theo leaned closer to say something and Asher laughed quietly.

My jaw tightened instantly. What the hell.

“There it is again,” Landon said from beside me.

I nearly choked on my sports drink. “What?”

“That staring thing.”

“I am not staring.”

“You’ve looked at Carter fourteen times in the last two minutes.”

“That is an exaggeration.”

“Fifteen now.”

I glared at him. Landon grinned wider like this was the funniest thing he’d ever witnessed in his life. There was something seriously wrong with me that was the only explanation because for the last three days every single thing Asher Carter did had been driving me insane. Not in a violent way but in a way that made absolutely no sense.

Landon followed my line of sight again then his eyebrows lifted slowly. "Oh my.”

“What?”

“You’re jealous.”

I looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Of Theo?”

“You tell me.”

“That’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever said.”

“Really? Because last week you punched Milo for calling Coach bald.” “He is bald you know.”

“That’s not the point.” I shoved my gloves into my locker harder than necessary. Landon kept watching me carefully. “You’ve been acting weird ever since that party.”

My stomach dropped instantly. Dangerous topic. “Nothing happened at the party.”

Landon snorted. “Right. And Milo drinks responsibly.”

Across the room, Theo nudged Asher’s shoulder again. Asher shoved him lightly back. My chest did something unpleasant Landon saw it happen immediately. His eyes widened.

“Gosh”, he repeated. “You actually like somebody.”

I barked out a laugh so sharp that half the locker room looked over.

“No.”

“Dude..”

“No.”

“You’re literally glaring holes into Theo’s skull.”

“Because he talks too much.”

“You like somebody,” Landon insisted. “That’s hilarious.” I stood abruptly. “I don’t like anybody.”

“Sure.”

“I mean it.”

“Then why do you look homicidal every time Theo touches Carter?” I opened my mouth No answer came out. Because honestly? I had no idea and that was the problem. Nothing about this made sense anymore. Asher Carter was supposed to be annoying, Weak, and easy to tease Except now he fought back.

He looked me directly in the eye when we argued, moved differently, talked differently, smirked like he knew things he shouldn’t And every time he looked at me, something in my brain short-circuited.

Coach Hale stormed into the locker room. “Move your asses, Titans.” Everyone scrambled toward the ice.

Everyone except me, because unfortunately, Asher walked past my locker at the exact wrong moment. Close enough for me to catch the faint scent of soap and cold air. Close enough to remember exactly how his mouth had felt against mine. My entire body locked up. Asher glanced at me briefly. Then immediately looked away That annoyed me too. Which made no sense because I was avoiding him too.

“Captain,” Theo called from the doorway. “You coming?”

I snapped back to reality. “Yeah.”

The second practice started I knew I was screwed because no matter what I did My eyes kept finding him. Standing near the boards with the mascot gear.

Watching drills, taking stat Trying very hard not to look at me. It should’ve made things easier Instead it made me irrationally angry.

“Focus, Hampton!”

Coach’s voice cracked across the rink. I immediately stole the puck from Milo.

“Rude!” he yelled.

“Cry about it.”

Landon skated beside me. “You’re aggressive today.” “I’m always aggressive.” “Not murdery aggressive.”

I ignored him. Unfortunately, my brain refused to cooperate. Everywhere I looked, Asher. Theo is talking to Asher and laughing as if nothing matters. Theo kept touching Asher’s shoulder again. I slammed Noah Bennett into the boards hard enough to shake the glass.

The entire rink froze. Noah swore loudly. “What the hell, Hampton?!” I barely heard him because Theo had his hand on Asher’s wrist again. Something hot twisted in my chest.

What the fuck. Coach blew the whistle sharply. “Hampton!”

I turned slowly. Coach looked furious. “What is wrong with you today?”

“Nothing.”

“That hit was unnecessary.” Noah glared at me from the ice. “You trying to kill me?”

“Depends,” I muttered. Landon looked deeply concerned now. Coach skated closer. “You want to explain why you’re acting like a rabid animal?” I almost answered honestly because I didn’t know either. Instead, I grabbed my helmet tighter. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

My gaze drifted again. Straight toward Asher And of course, Coach noticed Unfortunately so did Landon. The realisation on his face was immediate, absolute horror.

“There it goes,” he whispered. I shot him a death glare. “Don’t.” “You’re into Carter.” “I am not.” “You totally are.” “I’m literally not.” “You punched Bennett because Theo touched him.” “That’s not why.” “Then why?”

“I don’t know!”

Half the rink went silent. Coach pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hampton. Bench. Five minutes.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“You’re benching me?”

“You’re one bad decision away from starting a fight.” Landon muttered under his breath, “Too late.” I sat aggressively on the bench while the team resumed drills. This was humiliating.

Worse Asher kept glancing at me like he was trying to figure me out. Join the club that Theo skated over during water break. “You okay?”

I looked up slowly. “I’m fantastic.”

“You look emotionally unstable.”

“Thank you.” Theo leaned against the boards beside me then casually said, “You should stop glaring at Asher.” I nearly inhaled my own tongue. “I don’t glare at him.”

Theo gave me a look. “You absolutely do.”

“He annoys me.” Theo smiled slightly. “That’s not what this looks like.”

My pulse spiked instantly. Before I could answer Asher walked toward the bench carrying extra water bottles. My entire nervous system malfunctioned. Theo accepted a bottle from him easily. “Thanks.”

Asher nodded.

Then those eyes flicked toward me. But long enough to ruin my entire day.

“Captain.”

His voice was calm. Like he hadn’t completely destroyed my sanity. I grabbed the bottle too quickly.

Our fingers brushed. Asher pulled back immediately. I stared at the bottle as it had personally betrayed me.

Theo looked between us slowly. Then Milo skated past yelling, “Kieran looks like he just discovered emotions!”

“Shut up, Hayes!”

Milo grinned. “Aw. Captain’s sensitive today.” Landon started laughing so hard he almost fell over. The rest of the practice was torture. Every time I looked at Asher my brain replayed the kiss. Every time Theo touched him I wanted violence. Every time Asher ignored me I noticed. By the time practice ended I was exhausted from fighting my own thoughts.

This was ridiculous. I showered fast, avoided eye contact with literally everyone and escaped home before Landon could interrogate me again. Unfortunately being alone somehow made things worse because now there were no distractions. Only memories. The way he pushed me back for one tiny moment, I dragged both hands down my face.

“Nope.” Absolutely not. I was straight, straighter than a ruler So why the hell couldn’t I stop thinking about it?

That night sleep eventually dragged me under despite my protests. Because apparently my subconscious had chosen violence. In the dream, we were back in Milo’s upstairs bedroom. Only this time Asher didn’t run when I kissed him he kissed me back Hard. Like he craved for me. My hands tangled in his hoodie while his fingers slid into my hair.

My entire body burned. Asher laughed softly against my mouth then whispered “I guess you’re gay now.”

I woke up instantly.

My entire body jerked upright in bed while sweat covered my skin and my heart slammed against my ribs like it wanted freedom.

For one long second, I just sat there breathing heavily in the darkness. Then horror hit me full force.

“What the fuck is wrong with me?” I stared at the wall in complete disbelief.

“Am I dreaming of guys now?”